This post contains mentions of homophobic hate speech, mental health issues, and eating disorders.
Elliot Page has had a complicated journey with his family since coming out as a member of the LGBTQ community — and he's finally ready to talk about it.
Looking back in an interview with the LA Times, Elliot admits his family was not accepting when he first shared he was exploring the idea that he might be gay.
In fact, Elliot says that his mother, a minister’s daughter, told him that homosexuality straight up didn’t exist.
And when he had to shave his head for an acting role as a teenager, his grandmother asked Elliot's father what he would do "if his daughter was a d*ke."
Unfortunately, his family's response had a negative effect on him, leading him to self-destructive behavior like self harm and food restriction.
While Elliot says his family resisted his identity for years, things changed when he came out as trans — and he says it was almost like his mom experienced "a sense of relief."
Elliot explained that because she was able to watch him at ease with himself, she finally came to accept him — and has now expressed guilt for her past actions.
"I think it’s really inspiring that she’s changed and become such an advocate and ally,” Elliot shared. "It took her time to break out of the ideas she grew up with."
Meanwhile, Elliot's relationship with his father is a different story, and they haven't communicated in over five years.
To make things even worse, Elliot says his father supports "those with massive platforms who have attacked and ridiculed me on a global scale."
"When [right-wing author] Jordan Peterson was let back on Twitter after he'd made a horrific tweet about me, he posted a video, just his head filling the frame. Staring menacingly into the camera, he said, 'We’ll see who cancels who.' My dad 'liked' it," Elliot revealed.
As of now, Elliot says he can't imagine himself talking to his father ever again.
You can read all that Elliot had to share here.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is 1-888-950-6264 (NAMI) and provides information and referral services; GoodTherapy.org is an association of mental health professionals from more than 25 countries who support efforts to reduce harm in therapy.
If you or someone you know have experienced anti-LGBTQ violence or harassment, you can contact the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs hotline at 1-212-714-1141.
Peer-support services are available at the Trans Lifeline. You can call the hotline at (877) 565-8860.
The National Eating Disorders Association helpline is 1-800-931-2237; for 24/7 crisis support, text “NEDA” to 741741.
Looking for more ways to get involved? Check out all of BuzzFeed's posts celebrating Pride 2023.
